She recently worked in Louisiana on the Restore the Mississippi River Delta campaign, which comprises the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the Environmental Defense Fund, and several local nonprofits. Before moving to Louisiana, she was the individual placements program manager for a conservation nonprofit in Alaska.

Prior to working in Alaska and Louisiana, Ashley worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on communications projects for parks, trails, water trails, forests, and wild and scenic rivers. Her work included writing articles for the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, helping manage Minnesota State Parks and Trails seasonal publications, and assisting with media relations.

She got her start in the conservation field by maintaining and building trails as an AmeriCorps member in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Conservation Corps Minnesota - 2009) and also throughout Southeast Alaska (2008). She graduated from Truman State University with a BA in Communications.